title: How do I manage an acute injury to the facial nerve?
abstract: Paralysis of the facial nerve is a cause of considerable functional and aesthetic disfigurement. Damage to the upper trunk can result in eye complications with the risk of exposure keratitis. Numerous factors influence the therapeutic strategy: the cause of the injury, the time elapsed since injury, functional impairment, and the likelihood of recovery. We discuss the management of an acute injury to the facial nerve and focus on the surgical options.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth PO6 3LY, UK. Electronic address: serryth@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Serryth
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Colbert
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Holtye Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 3DZ, UK. Electronic address: daryl.coombes@qvh.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: Daryl
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Coombes
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Great Western Road, Gloucester, Gloucestershire GL1 3NN, UK. Electronic address: daryl.godden@glos.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: Daryl
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Godden
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The North West London Hospitals NHS Trust, Northwick Park Hospital, Watford Road, Harrow, Middlesex HA1 3UJ, UK. Electronic address: Luke.cascarini@nwlh.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: Luke
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cascarini
authors.affiliation: Royal Marsden Hospital, Fulham Road, London SW3 6JJ, UK. Electronic address: Cyrus.kerawala@rmh.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: Cyrus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kerawala
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth PO6 3LY, UK. Electronic address: peter.brennan@porthosp.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Brennan
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003391:Cranial Nerves / Q000637:transplantation; D020220:Facial Nerve Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D016067:Nerve Transfer / Q000379:methods; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D009553:Nimodipine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000150:complications; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D020011:Protective Agents; D009553:Nimodipine
keywords: Facial nerve; Injury; Repair; Review